Safe Use of Quick Hitches on Track Excavator

The track excavator is one of the most important engineering construction machinery, and since the machine is widely applied, the issue of how to operate it safely is of great importance. In a recent incident, a worker was struck by the bucket of a 20-tonne excavator that appears to have become detached from the dipper arm, during the loading of demolition debris and soil into a truck trailer. The worker died as a consequence of head and chest injuries.

This alert reminds users of track excavators to secure the excavator’s bucket to the dipper arm of the excavator. Where a quick hitch device requiring a safety pin is fitted, then the safety pin must be inserted. For quick hitches that have an automatic safety system, check that it has fully engaged. A quick hitch system may still function for some time without the safety pin in place and then suddenly swing open and release the bucket or attachment.

Those in control of work should ensure that the following are in place:

*Excavator operators should be trained and instructed on the safe use of excavators.

*Excavator operators should be competent to use the specific quick hitch on the excavator they use, whether it is automatically secured or by manually inserting a pin. Competence should be verified through assessment and regular reinforcement.

*Quick hitches should be maintained and in proper working order. They should be marked with the model and serial number, manufacturer’s name, quick hitch weight and maximum rated capacity, as well as the capacity of each lifting point.

*Where safety pins or other shaped securing devices are used, then they must meet the quick hitch manufacturer’s specifications and be retained on the excavator or the quick hitch when not in use. Substitutes such as structural bolts or a reinforcing bar must not be used.

*Excavator operators should check that the pin is in place or the automatic system has correctly engaged on the hitch, before starting work and every time a different attachment is fitted. They should be instructed not to use the machine unless they are satisfied that the quick hitch is secured.

*Excavator operators should intentionally disengage the quick hitch when attachments are to be disconnected.

*The area around safety pin insertion holes can be painted to make it clear to operators and site supervisors on where the pin should be inserted. Similarly, pins can be painted to make them more visible.

*All attachments must have correct pin centres and pin diameters.

*Safe systems of work should be implemented to ensure that people are not exposed to risks by working below or in the vicinity of the bucket – eg establishing an exclusion zone when the excavator is in use.